And Larry was, too, for he had worked hard. The million was soon taken back to the Consolidated Bank, and Norton was given a trial. He received a comparatively light sentence, in consideration of pleading guilty, and of returning the million, for he deeded his house to the bank. I am glad to be able to say that, years afterward, he came from prison a changed man, and until his death led an upright life.
“Well, Larry, I suppose you’ll give up reporting now,” said his mother, several days after the big case had ended. “You certainly don’t need to work so hard, after getting that big reward.”
“Oh, I can’t give up the newspaper business, mother,” he replied. “The ten thousand dollars is a nice sum, but I didn’t work up the case for that. I did it for the story and the ‘beat.’”
For Larry had refused to accept the full reward, but he took half, and donated the rest to a hospital recently founded by the doctor who had cured Lucy of her spinal trouble.
“Quit the newspaper game? I guess not!” cried Mr. Emberg, when Larry told him of Mrs. Dexter’s wish. “We need you on the Leader, Larry. I’ll save the next big assignment for you.”
And what that assignment was, and how Larry “covered” it, may be learned by reading the next book of this series, to be called “Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy; or, A Chase on the Great Lakes.”
“Mr. Dexter, I congratulate you,” said Director Wilson to Larry one day. “I admit I didn’t take much stock in you at first, but you have won me over. It was a great piece of work. And to think you thought my protégé, Witherby, was the thief!”
“Well, even he admitted that I had a good case against him,” said Larry. “By the way, how is he coming on?”
“Splendidly! He is going to be a great actor some day. I am glad I helped him, though I don’t say he did just right in leaving the bank so suddenly.”
Larry thought the same thing, and as he recalled the various steps he had taken in solving the bank mystery he had no regrets, for he knew that he had acted for the best, and had followed only natural clews. And now, for a time, we will take leave of the young reporter.